Photo source: Nigel J. Dennis / www.nhpa.co.uk
Photo source: CBC Radio As it Happens
Native to portions of Asia and Africa, the pangolin (of which there are eight species) gets its name from the Malay term "pengguling ("something that rolls up"). The pangolin rolls up into a ball when threatened, and those scales are not only tough, but they are also razor sharp (ergo the gloves).The closest living relative isn't the anteater, though the pangolin is also called the scaly anteater. Rather, its closest living cousin is the carnivora (one of the best names ever given to an animal).
If you want to watch some endearing footage of one, check out this video. They walk bipedally.
Thanks for the photos and the video, Ida and Booge.
that's a really cool animal and amazing to watch in action.
ReplyDeleteyou might want to look closer at the link to Carnivora though, as that's not the name of a specific animal. instead it's the order of all mammals that we label as carnivorous including bears, cats, dogs, seals, weasels etc. the wiki article on Ferae has a decent explanation too
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ReplyDeleteomg, this is far away from being ugly, it's cute =)
ReplyDeleteI agree with hyony...I think it's cute too!
ReplyDeleteomgcute
ReplyDeleteThat is ADORABLE, in fact. And awesome.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if we could import them into America where there's a huge number of fire ants they could NOM NOM up.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize they were bipedal -- how cool is that?
Ok...he's cute. Not ugly whatsoever. His momma should have told him to sit up straight though....just watching him walk hurts my lower back.
ReplyDeleteAmazing and so adorable! A couple in the garden would be great, probably keep as many kids out as bugs.
ReplyDeletePangolins, 'specially baby pangolins, are TEH KYOOT!
ReplyDeletecute! I didn't realize they were bipedal. The way they move looks like the Mystics from the Dark Crystal. ^^
ReplyDeleteAh! A scaly Mystic. I love it!
ReplyDeleteVery cool.
ReplyDeleteTruly amazing and beautiful
ReplyDeleteyes, carnivora is an entire order of animals.
ReplyDelete